DNK International By Kennedy Epalat,Teso North
A retired teacher and renowned fine artist from Busia County has appealed to the government to improve teachers’ salaries and working conditions, while also calling for the introduction of professional counselling services to help educators cope with financial pressures and work-related stress.
Speaking during a thanksgiving ceremony held in his honour at his Kosenyi home in Teso North Constituency on Saturday, Mwalimu Hosea Otulia expressed concern over the challenges facing teachers and urged authorities to prioritize their welfare.
The event, presided over by Kosenyi Salvation Army Church and organized by the Board of Management, teachers and staff of Kosenyi Comprehensive School, marked Otulia’s retirement in March after 35 years of service in schools across Busia and Nakuru counties.
Otulia urged Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary-General Collins Oyuu to continue advocating for a comprehensive medical cover for teachers, saying the Social Health Authority (SHA) had not adequately met their healthcare needs.
The veteran educator also unveiled plans to establish an arts centre in Kosenyi Village aimed at nurturing young and upcoming artists.
“I don’t want to leave this world without impacting more lives. Pray for me so that I can establish that centre within Kosenyi Village because I have many good friends whom I intend to approach to help actualize my dream,” he said.
According to Otulia, the centre will provide mentorship in fine arts and other life skills he has acquired over decades of teaching and artistic practice.
He recalled his role during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he was selected by the government to represent the Western region—comprising Busia, Bungoma, Kakamega and Vihiga counties—in using art to educate the public about the dangers of the virus and preventive measures.
The assignment, he said, transformed his life and brought him national recognition.
“I met retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, then Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, appeared live on KBC Channel One, was interviewed by Radio China International and the BBC, among others. I became a celebrity and to date I represent artists in the Western region,” he said.
Drawing from the COVID-19 experience, Otulia urged the Kenya Kwanza administration to involve artists and musicians in public health campaigns against infectious diseases such as Ebola, noting that creative arts had played a significant role in educating communities during the pandemic.
He also praised renowned philanthropist Prof Olubayi Olubayi for providing space at Kiwimbi Community Library in Amagoro where he established an art studio to mentor young artists.
“I taught many upcoming artists and today most of them are at various levels of their careers,” he said.
Otulia attributed much of his success in both teaching and art to literary influences, particularly the late celebrated Kenyan author Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, whose books inspired him while he was a student at Kolanya Boys High School.
He revealed that Ngũgĩ later donated 200 books to support the establishment of a community library at Kosenyi Comprehensive School.
“Apart from teaching children how to draw, I also emphasized the importance of reading because everything is in books, even without a teacher,” he said.
The retired teacher proudly cited several former students whose talents he helped nurture.
Among them is acclaimed East and Central African artist Peter Elung’ata, whom he described as one of the region’s most recognized artists.
He also mentioned Sharon Oradu, now residing in Seattle in the United States, and Monica Otwane, who serves as a pilot with the Kenya Police Air Wing.
Teachers led by Headteacher Ben Omoding and former headteacher Anne Okolee described Otulia as a dedicated educator whose professionalism and wisdom helped resolve challenges affecting both learners and staff throughout his career.
Major Fanuel Lumbasi and Captain Noela Lumbasi of Kosenyi Salvation Army Church encouraged those still in active employment to embrace a culture of saving in preparation for retirement.
The thanksgiving ceremony attracted relatives, friends, former learners and family members from across the country, with others joining virtually.
Family members paid tribute to Otulia as a father figure who supported relatives following the retirement and eventual death of their father, David Binius Immo.
His uncle, 81-year-old Elias Murega from Cheptais in Bungoma County, advised the retiree to embrace his new phase of life with wisdom and discipline.
“It is upon you to decide how you want to live after retirement because no one will tell you how,” he said.
Murega reflected on his own retirement 26 years ago, recalling how he abandoned alcohol and adjusted to a more sustainable lifestyle.
He cautioned Otulia against financial pressure from friends and fundraising events, noting that retirees are often targeted because of their pension benefits.
“It is not bad to be a guest of honour or to contribute, but it is your money, so it is upon you to decide how much to give,” he advised.
He joined other speakers in observing that teaching is one of the few professions whose impact extends beyond formal retirement and encouraged Otulia to continue using his expertise in education and art to mentor others while creating alternative sources of income for himself and his family.
[DNK-International@June 7,2026]
